artma 2012

Reimi at artma

My partner, Reimi, and I went to "artma", the fundraising event to benefit "The Morgan Adams Foundation" and pediatric oncology research, in Denver last evening.

Reimi has donated her late husband, William Corey's work. William was a wonderful photographer who had fallen in love with the beautiful gardens in Japan... especially in Kyoto, and during the 90s, his work was selected as the official gift from the State of Colorado to the Emperor and the Empress of Japan during their visits here.

Consequently, William was granted, as the first foreigner, an official permission to photograph the Imperial Gardens of Kyoto.

William had courageously faught cancer, but regretfully, he had succumbed to the illness back in 2008.

Reimi herself had battled cancer before but has overcome the illness without taking the allopathic medical intervention.

Reimi and Jen (of  Photocraft)in front of William's work

Each year, many artists and the volunteers have been donating their works and time for artma, and Reimi (and William when he was alive) has been contributing to this wonderful event as well. 

I, too, have gladly helped by donating my painting in the past.

The Morgan Adams Foundation was founded honoring the memory of Morgan (July 30, 1992 – November 7, 1998), the daughter of Joan Slaughter and Steve Adams, who as a child, courageously fought the battle (3 surgeries/many rounds of high-dose chemotherapy/ many blood transfusions...) with cancer. Although, she is no longer with us, because of her and her parents, this foundation was created and had enabled to fund the important researches at The Children's Hospital Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and other partnering research institutions.

When you enter the event center, the first thing one notice is the display of the faces of many children with cancer. Some have joined their angels, but others are still battling.

These children are the messengers from above enabling us to do good for the immediate society around us and to care for the children (...all the children!) who will be taking care of their generations and carrying the future.

Jen, Reimi, Brooks, Valerie, and William's patrons

I was also touched by the people who had spent their money generously to buy the artworks during the auction... especially in this economy. I felt the wonderful enthusiasm from the people and the atmosphere, and just by being there, my heart was uplifted!

I sincerely hope and pray that these events would keep helping and saving as many children's lives as possible.

I wish to conclude by sharing the words by Morgan.

"I love you to aleph infinity, bigger and wider than the whole universe!"

- Morgan Courtney Adams

Please visit:

artma :   http://artmaonline.org/artma/index.htm

The Morgan Adams Foundation:  http://www.morganadamsfoundation.org/

William Corey Gallery LLC: http://www.williamcorey.com/

"Ota Shrine" (2c-16)  in Kyoto, Japan  © by William Corey Gallery LLC